At the end of the 2025 January transfer window, Algerian international Saïd Benrahma bid farewell to his teammates at Olympique Lyonnais.
After just a year in Ligue 1, he received an offer from Saudi Arabia that was simply too lucrative to reject. However, Benrahma wasn’t signing for a Saudi Pro League giant like Al-Nassr or Al-Hilal. Instead, he was heading to Neom Sports Club—a team newly promoted to the second division of Saudi football. Despite appearing to be a step down, the financial power behind this club is unparalleled.
The Billion-Dollar Backing
Neom Sports Club is owned by Neom, the ambitious and controversial $1.5 trillion real estate megaproject in Saudi Arabia. Neom is backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the same sovereign wealth fund that owns Newcastle United and has fueled the recent transformation of Saudi football. The project, announced in 2017 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is part of Vision 2030, a grand plan to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy and reduce its dependence on oil.
Among Neom’s many futuristic plans is The Line, a proposed 100 km-long smart city with no roads or conventional currency, staffed by AI and robots. With Saudi Arabia also set to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, the development of a professional football club in Neom is a strategic move.
A Club Transformed Overnight
In the summer of 2023, Saudi Arabia privatized its four biggest clubs, pouring PIF money into football and signing superstars like Neymar, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, and Sadio Mané. Hidden in that announcement was the news that a small third-division club, Al-Suqoor, based in Tabuk, had been acquired by Neom.
The club underwent a complete rebranding—new crest, colors, name, and world-class facilities. In just 44 days, Neom Sports Club built a state-of-the-art training complex in Tabuk, with millions invested in transfers. Notable signings included Saudi national team captain Salman Al-Faraj and Egyptian defender Ahmed Hegazi, both stepping down a division to join Neom. Brazilian coach Péricles Chamusca was recruited after being given a helicopter tour of Neom, which left him deeply impressed.
The Road to the Top
Neom Sports Club has a five-year plan:
- Earn promotion to the Saudi Pro League.
- Challenge for the domestic title.
- Qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup.
- Establish itself as one of Asia’s top teams.
- Relocate to a state-of-the-art World Cup stadium in Neom.
“We don’t believe in the word ‘impossible,’” said club chairman Mashari Elmi. “Everything is possible with hard work.” Given the club’s vast budget, promotion seems inevitable.
The Dark Side of Neom’s Ambitions
While Neom is marketed as the city of the future, its development has come at a significant human cost. Reports indicate that thousands of people, including the indigenous Howeitat tribe, have been forcibly displaced to make way for the project. According to a BBC investigation, villages, schools, and hospitals have been destroyed, with tribal leaders arrested or worse. A former Saudi intelligence officer claimed a “shoot-to-kill” policy was enforced against those who resisted relocation.
Moreover, labor rights groups have raised concerns over the working conditions in Neom. The kafala system, which has been widely criticized for exploitative labor practices, governs many of the migrant workers brought in to build the megacity. An ITV documentary alleged that over 21,000 workers from Bangladesh, Nepal, and India have died in Saudi construction projects since 2017—claims that the Saudi government denies.
Neom’s Footballing Future
Despite the controversies surrounding its origins, Neom Sports Club is poised to become a major force in football. With unparalleled financial backing and a strategic vision tied to Saudi Arabia’s ambitions for global sports dominance, the club’s rise seems unstoppable. As they dominate the Saudi first division, their promotion to the Pro League appears to be just a formality.
Saudi Arabia’s football revolution is well underway, and Neom Sports Club is its newest and most enigmatic chapter. Whether it will be remembered for its sporting achievements or its ethical controversies remains to be seen.
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